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Merseyside MP Angela Eagle shrugged off suggestions she faces an “uphill struggle” to become Labour leader after a second MP threw his hat into the ring.

Former shadow work and pensions secretary Owen Smith has joined the Wallasey MP in seeking to unseat veteran left-winger Jeremy Corbyn, declaring he would be a “radical and credible” leader who could take Labour back into power.

Pontypridd MP Smith launched his bid the day after Mr Corbyn secured his place on the ballot paper for the contest, after the party’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) ruled that only challengers, and not the incumbent leader, have to collect 51 nominations from MPs.

Asked by reporters if she now faced an uphill struggle, Ms Eagle today insisted she was “very optimistic”.

She said: “I’m more optimistic about it than that, I’m looking forward to the challenge, I’m looking forward to discussing the ideas that we need to debate so that we can put our party in the strongest possible position.

“I’m in this contest to win it and that’s what I intend to do.”

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She added: “I welcome Owen into the debate. I think we now need a real debate about the future direction of our party. I believe I have the experience and the ability to show real leadership and ensure we can heal the divisions in our party and our country and prevent perpetual Tory rule.

“I don’t think Jeremy has shown that he can do that.”

Labour party members who have been in the party for less than six months will be barred from taking part in the forthcoming leadership election unless they pay £25.

Former Shadow Cabinet Minister Angela Eagle launches her bid for Labour leadership at a press conference at Savoy Place on July 11, 2016

Asked if she could understand concerns over the decision, Ms Eagle said: “It’s a matter for the NEC of the party, the ruling body of the party, to make the rules for the leadership contest.

“I’m prepared to go forwards in any leadership contest under the rules the National Executive Committee have decided.

“I have decided to stand for this election to show the party real leadership at a time of real danger for our country and the aftermath of the Brexit vote. I think that’s more important than any of the details about how the contest will go forward.

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Angela Eagle

“That is a matter for the party’s ruling body and they’ve made their decision.”

Mr Smith told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “I will stand in this election and I will do the decent thing and fight Jeremy Corbyn on the issues, just as he will do with me, and at the end of that I will stand behind whoever the leader is.